The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage When many new Canadian homebuyers calculate whether they can afford a new home, they focus almost exclusively on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. It's the figure lenders use for the mortgage stress test, the number real estate agents discuss during showings, and the benchmark buyers use to determine their budget. However, the mortgage is only the starting line. Homeowners also pay for property taxes,... [read more]

AI, Tariffs, and Inflation: 3 Important Takeaways from the Bank of Canada’s Latest Move   In the world of central banking, a "hold" is rarely just a pause—it is a positioning. On January 28, 2026, the Bank of Canada kept its target for the overnight interest rate at 2.25%, but the accompanying rhetoric suggests a Governing Council navigating a razor’s edge. We are no longer in an era of predictable cycles; we are in a state of "upheaval."... [read more]

2025 Ends with More Affordable Housing Market and Paves the Way for Year of Recovery Annual Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales declined in 2025 compared to 2024, as economic uncertainty weighed on consumer confidence. Over the same period, listing inventory remained elevated, allowing for selling prices to be negotiated downward, helping improve affordability. “The GTA housing market became more affordable in 2025 as selling prices and mortgage rates trended lower. Improved... [read more]

2026 Canada Housing Market Forecast: Will Buyers Finally Re-Enter the Market? Will 2026 be the year Canadian buyers stop waiting? Most major housing forecasters believe activity will finally pick up after two muted years, but expectations vary on how strong that rebound will be and where it will show up first. After a sluggish and uncertain 2025, the Canadian housing market appears positioned for gradual normalization rather than a sharp recovery. The Canadian Real Estate Association... [read more]

Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves: A Guide to the Best Buying and Selling Seasons Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can still be the difference between saving real money or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or sitting for three months, and negotiating from a position of strength or uncertainty. As we look toward 2026, that timing question matters even more in Canada. CREA is calling for a modest pickup in activity into 2026 as rates ease and confidence returns,... [read more]